FLUORESCENT LAMP CATHODE AND METHOD OF MAKING CATHODES

摘要

A method of making cathodes (28) includes forming a first intermediate assembly (16) having a current wire (10) in juxtaposition with an outer mandrel wire (12) and a basket wire (14) wound around the first two wires (10 and 12). The first intermediate assembly (16) is wound around a central mandrel (18) to form a second intermediate assembly (20). Pulses of energy are used to produce an alloy solder joint (24) between the current wire (10) and the basket wire (14) at selected locations. The second intermediate assembly (20) is cut into segments, and the mandrels (18) are removed. This results in a cathode (28) having a coiled current wire (10) and a basket wire (14) wound around the current wire (10), with the basket wire (14) being bonded to the current wire (10) by the alloy solder joints (24). The cathode (28) includes a central bore (30) that is substantially free of the alloy solder joint (24).